DES MOINES - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he's not happy with the Obama Administration's plan to require public schools to let transgender students use the rest rooms matching the gender they identify with.
The plan says schools that don't comply would be violating federal anti-discrimination laws. And that could mean a loss of federal funding.
During a press conference, Branstad called the move "blackmail."
"Well, I think it's really the decision of local schools and now you have the federal government stepping and saying 'If you don't do it our way, we're going to withhold your federal money.' I think that's wrong," said Branstad.
Parents of transgender children would have to notify the school if their child's gender identity differs from their birth records.